"One factor that could aid him in that pursuit is debuting a new changeup in 2026. In speaking with reporters at the player development complex on Day 1 of spring training, Cease said he's developing an off-speed weapon this spring that could help better neutralize left-handed batters, as relayed by MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. The 30-year-old righty also reiterated his desire and commitment to becoming a dependable, year-after-year front-line starter with the Blue Jays."
"For context, Cease has toyed with a changeup throughout his career, although it's never been more than an afterthought in his arsenal, which revolves around his four-seamer and slider. Last season, he only threw 34 changeups - the second-lowest total of his career, ahead of only the 28 he threw in 2024 - but ditched it entirely after May. Developing a more effective third weapon to use against lefties will be crucial for Cease as he searches for increased consistency moving forward."
"For his career, left-handed batters have slashed .239/.325/.406 and struck out only a quarter of the time against him, whereas righties feature a .211/.290/.349 opposing slash line and a 31.5 per cent strikeout rate. In 2025, Cease's low-80s curveball - which grades out as below average - served as his third-most-used pitch versus lefties, throwing it 13.4 per cent of the time. But his secondary breaking ball largely proved ineffective, as opponents produced a .321 AVG and .536 SLG against it in those matchups."
Dylan Cease is developing a changeup this spring with the goal of debuting it in 2026 to better neutralize left-handed batters. Cease signed a seven-year, $210 million contract and aims to be a consistent, front-of-the-rotation starter for the Toronto Blue Jays. His arsenal has primarily consisted of a four-seamer and slider, and he has only sporadically used a changeup previously, throwing 34 in 2025 and abandoning it after May. Left-handed hitters have produced weaker strikeout rates and comparable slugging against him versus right-handers. Cease's low-80s curveball graded below average in 2025 and was ineffective against lefties, prompting consideration of a vertical-breaking changeup to attack low-and-away.
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